Hydrolytic Degradation and Morphological Characterization of Electrospun Poly(glycolic acid) [PGA] Thin Films of Different Molecular Weights Containing TiO2 Nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of polymer research Vol. 23; no. 6; p. 1
• Main Authors: de la Cruz, Laura Ivone Silva, Rodríguez, Francisco Javier Medellín, Velasco-Santos, Carlos, Martínez-Hernández, Ana, Gutiérrez-Sánchez, Mariana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Original Paper; Polymer Sciences; PGA; TiO; Biopolymers; Biodegradable polymers
• ISSN: 1022-9760; 1572-8935
• DOI: 10.1007/s10965-016-1002-9

Thin films of polyglycolic acid (PGA), a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, were prepared by electrospinning and were studied according to their molecular weights. TiO 2 nanoparticles were also used as additives at concentrations of 2–8 wt%. The films were morphologically characterized and exhibited a homogeneous distribution of TiO 2 with only slight differences depending on the molecular weight. In particular, fibers with low-molecular-weight PGA were thinner and had an average diameter of 77 nm. Furthermore, they showed a higher resolution of the TiO 2 crystal planes regardless of the crystal habit involved. During the melting of the PGA fibers, one single and prominent melting endotherm was observed, which was independent of molecular weight, TiO 2 content, and crystal phase involved. This was in contrast to quiescent PGA crystallization and melting, during which the typical double melting behavior was present. After thermal measurements, TiO 2 did not show characteristics of a nucleating agent for the PGA fibers. However, it acted as a degradation retardant for low-molecular-weight PGA. Because of its hygroscopicity, anatase, a material with the ability to absorb water, was a more efficient hydrolytic degrader than rutile.